Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-01
party In the Old Dominion. He ia not
MoRpEoAi, but HAMAN, whose end has
already come
Franois Thomas Anderson.

Francis Thomas Anderson.
FRANCIS THOMAS ANDERSON, ex.judge
Of the Supreme Court Of Appeals of
Virginia, died yesterday at his home. in
Lexington, after brief illness. Thus
passed away a virginian who yielded
the palm TO mono for devotion TO his
native State and effort TO prove true TO
every charge she had confded TO him.
Judge ANDERSON was born in the county
OF BOtetourt about scyenty-nine years
ago, and was descended on his fathers side
from sturdy Scoteh-Irish stock. His
father was Colonel WILLIAM ANDERSON,
and his only surviving brother is General
JOSEPH X. ANDERSON, of this city.
Judge ANDERSON received his early eda-
cation OF a classical school in Fincastle,
but when quite young entered Washing
ton College, Lexington, where he
graduated with high honors. Returning
TO Fincastle, he studied law under
FLEMING ID. MILLER, prominent law
yer OF his day, and at the age Of
twenty-one married and soon after
wards was admitted TO the bar. For
number of years he resided in
his native county, practicing law, and
at one time made a speciality of land
cases, in the conduct OF which he was
associated with such men as BRIsCoE
BALDWIN, BALLARD Preston, SIDNEY
BAXTER, and others of that school, In
1852, however, he removed to Rock
bridge, where he had large property in
tcrestS.
Judge ANDERSON never had any ambi-
ton to enter political life. Prior to the
war he was Henry CLAY Wing OF tue
most pronounced type, and his conyic-
tons on all public matters were of
the most decided character but
his logo was the study and the
practice of law, and to that
love and to standard literature he
devoted his whole mind. Nevertheless,
he was several times elected to the Legis-
latllre, and in that body served with credit
to himself and to the entire satisfaction
of his constituents. There he proved
that though his pure, simple, gentle ma
ture untitled him for the arena of parti
san bitterness, he could, when duty and
truth demanded it, be as firm as a rock
and disarm agressiveness by the power of
self-poise and absolute sincerity. At
the breaking ont of the war Judge Az
DERsON cast his lot Of course, with Nir-
ginia, and did all that man of bis age
could do for the success Of the Coincide
rate cause. In 1870, at the first election
for Judges of the Supreme Court OF APP
pells held under the new Constitution,
Judge ANDERSON wasraised to that bench,
and never did n judge Of the highest
court in Virginia wear his honors
more modestly. He brought to
the position knowledge OF the
law, uuhagging industry, purity OF
personal life, the highest sense OF honor,
and thorough conscientiousness. After
twelve years of faithful service he put
aside unstained the ermine, and We risk
nothing in asserting that he carried with |
him in his retirement the respect, esteem,
and love of every lawyer who had prac-
ticed in the court during his term.
When quite young man Judge Az
DERsoN joined the Presbyterian Church, |
and at the time OF his death was an elder
in that Church. He was also rector of |
Washington and Lee University, having |
served on the board Of the university /.
and Of the old college for thirty-three (
years. Judge ANDERSON was a charm |
ing COMPANION, possessing as he did the |
faculty of entertaining almOstany circle in /
which he was thrown. He was never
too busy to give a kind and encouraging |
word to young or old. In Lexington,
where his good gray head and kindly |
face were familiar to every man, woman, /
and child, he was universally beloved /
and looked up to. His fund of remi- f.
niscences of Virginians of note was SIM
ply wonderful. He was a model citi /
zen, a pure-minded Judge, an upright |
man, and a consistent Christian, upon |
whose grave will be placed wreath |
woven of the affections Of all who knew
him. Virginia Will mourn him as one /
of her noblest sons who stood for her
honor and the right as he saw it in what
ever position he was placed.